Assignment on

Income Generating Activities and their Value Chain in

Maheshkhali

Submitted to
S.M.A Moudud Ahmed
Assistant Professor
Institute of Business Administration
Jahangirnagar University

Submitted by
Md Ferdous Haque
ID: 1991 BBA Batch: 30th

Course: FIN 401 Corporate Finance

Date of Submission: 11 February 2024
Maheshkhali Island is a captivating destination nestled amidst the azure waters of the Bay of
Bengal, situated near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. Known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic
beauty, and religious significance, Maheshkhali Island is a popular tourist spot offering a blend
of history, spirituality, and natural wonders. Moheshkhali is known for its diverse economic
activities, including fishing, dried fish production, salt production, sweet betel cultivation, and
many more. These income-generating activities play a crucial role in the livelihoods of the local
population and contribute significantly to the island's economy.

Fishing

Fishing is one of the primary income-generating activities in Moheshkhali. The island's

location near the Bay of Bengal provides abundant marine resources, making it an ideal

location for fishing activities. The value chain of fishing on the island involves several stages:

▪ Harvesting: Local fishermen venture into the sea using traditional boats and nets to

catch various species of fish, including pomfret, chhuri, loitta, hilsha, salmon, and

shrimp.

▪ Processing: After the catch, the fish are sorted, cleaned, and processed either for local

consumption or for sale in nearby markets.

▪ Marketing: Fish are sold in local markets or transported to larger markets in Cox's Bazar

or Chittagong for wider distribution.

▪ Export: Some high-value fish, such as shrimp, are exported to international markets,

contributing to foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Fishing provides employment opportunities for a significant portion of the local population,

including fishermen, boat operators, and fish processors, thereby supporting livelihoods and

economic development on the island.

Dried Fish Production

Dried fish production is another vital income-generating activity in Moheshkhali. The process

involves sun-drying various types of fish, such as pomfret, lakkha, chhuri, loitta, hilsha, shrimp

etc. to preserve them for extended periods. The value chain for dried fish production includes:
▪ Preparation: Fresh fish are cleaned, gutted, and salted before being laid out to dry under

the sun.

▪ Drying: The fish are spread out on mats and left to dry naturally under the sun for

several days.

▪ Packaging: Once dried, the fish are sorted, graded, and packaged for sale in local

markets or for export.

▪ Distribution: Dried fish products are distributed to local markets, wholesalers, and

retailers, catering to both domestic and international demand.

Dried fish processing provides employment opportunities for many women in the community.

It also generates income through both local sales and export.

Salt Production

Salt production is a traditional activity in Moheshkhali island, taking advantage of its coastal

location and favorable climate conditions. There are many salt fields in Moheshkhali. The value

chain for salt production includes:

▪ Salt Panning: Seawater is collected in shallow ponds or pans and left to evaporate under

the sun, leaving behind crystallized salt.

▪ Harvesting: Once the water has evaporated, the salt crystals are harvested manually.

▪ Processing: The harvested salt undergoes further processing, such as crushing and

refining, to produce various grades of salt for different purposes.

▪ Marketing: Processed salt is sold in local markets or transported to other parts of the

country for distribution and sale.

Salt cultivation provides employment opportunities for many local residents. It also contributes

to food preservation and seasoning, supporting various other industries such as fish processing

and pickling.

Sweet Betel Cultivation

Moheshkhali is famous for its mitha-pan (sweet betel). The value chain for betel production

involves:
▪ Cultivation: Betel leaves are cultivated in small-scale farms or gardens (Boroj) using

traditional methods.

▪ Harvesting: Mature betel leaves are harvested manually and sorted based on quality and

size.

▪ Packaging: The harvested betel leaves are cleaned, graded, and packaged for sale in

local markets or for transport to neighboring regions.

▪ Marketing: Betel leaves are sold to local consumers, as well as to traders who distribute

them to various destinations.

Retail price of sweet betel starts from Taka 2